A Kent MP is calling for all exams to be scrapped due to the 'fundamental disruption' pupils have faced because of the pandemic.

Tracey Crouch, the Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford, instead wants to see the teacher assessed grades used to evaluate pupils last year brought back as she feels this is 'the only fair option'.

The former sports minister made the decision after speaking to concerned school leaders and parents who feel pupils have been at a disadvantage because of school closures and time off having to self isolate.

In a letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, Ms Crouch said: "I have supported the government in its efforts to keep schools open as much as possible since the first lockdown as school is by far the best environment for young people to learn, and like you I have always been a firm believer in the importance for examinations for GCSE and A Levels.

"However, it is clear that those in the current exam years have been fundamentally disrupted as a consequence of Coronavirus.

"Last year's exam students were able to be assessed by their teachers as a result of a relatively short period of not being at school.

"Arguably, this year's exam pupils will have had over a year of disruption not least during last terms with many being asked to self isolate due to cases within schools.

"School leaders, teachers, pupils and parents from Chatham and Aylesford have expressed to me their concerns over the impact of this disruption on the currently scheduled summer examinations.

In my constituency, almost every secondary school either had year groups self isolating or closed in full putting pupils, especially those most deprived and in digital poverty, at a disadvantage.

"With pupils in year 11 and 13 yet to face even more disruption to learning, it is clear to me that teacher assessments are now the only fair way of evaluation."

The letter states in Medway there has been an average attendance of 72% across secondary schools since September. That level fell to just 53% on December 10.

Across Kent, attendance fell from 82% to just 55% in December.

On Wednesday, Mr Williamson announced the normal term start date - today - has been pushed back, with exam years to return on January 11, with all other year groups coming in on January 18.

The delay is to ensure an "ambitious" mass testing programme is in place for the pupils on their return.

But a Kent teaching head has hit out at the government over its plans to mass test pupils in secondary schools.

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